Christmas market in edinburgh

[Shinyshoes1]

Is there a Christmas market , is it any good ?

I'm looking for a day out in Edinburgh. I hope I've spelt it correctly
Im in England do I need a passport ? Silly question I know , where can I get nice Christmas gifts ?

[AgentProvocateur]

Yes, there is. It's ok - not great though. But there's plenty if other things to see and do. It's a great city.

I'm that you're asking if you need a passport. Scotland is part of the UK, you know.

[Mehrida]

Umm no you don't need a passport. And we speak English.

Yes there is a Christmas market. Right in the city centre. Next to the trains station and main street.

[OrangeLily]

1. There is a Christmas market with rides and an ice rink.
2. No you don't need a passport. Despite what some MNetters will have you believe with their North and South chat, Scotland is in the North of the UK.
3. The Christmas market is on one side of a bush shopping area. For you normal shops just cross the road and you've got Princes St, Rose St and George Street, Princes Mall, St James Centre, Multrees Walk are all good for shopping too.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

It's not a proper christmas market, though, although people seem to think if you stick stalls in garden sheds then they're a christmas market. Not much there, but the hog roast baps are nice.

[OrangeLily]

Why is it not a Christmas market? What does a Christmas market look like. I regularly big Christmas decorations there and drink mulled wine. What else do you expect?

[Shinyshoes1]

Ok thanks .... I knew the passport thing was a silly question .. I couldn't get my head around turning up at a London airport wanting to get to edinburgh without a passport

I think it's about 1 1/2 hours from London by plane .. I'm doing this by myself and don't like to stray from my comfort zone and I don't like not knowing how to get around ... Is the city centre very easy to get to from the airport using public transport ?
I was looking at spending a day there .... Should I look at staying overnight ?

Should I go somewhere else instead for those that don't recommend Edinburgh ?

[gillywillywoo]

The passport question made me LOL however as you're flying I kind of understand why you asked! I can't get my head around being at an airport and getting on a plane without a passport sometimes! I always end up taking my passport just in case! Haha

[mrspaddy]

You need photographic ID though, so no harm if you want to use your passport. Belfast is a nice city too and has markets at Christmas. I always wanted to go to markets in Eastern Europe or Germany.

[OrangeLily]

Yes there is a direct bus from the airport to city centre. Airlink from Lothian buses. Every 10 mins (or shorter) from directly outside the terminal. You can buy tickets at a wee kiosk from where the bus is.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Orange lots of things to buy, more stalls'and choice, different foods, lots of decorations to buy, just more, and more choice. Maybe I'm expecting too much as I lived in Germany for years and went to loads of Christmas markets. One that's marginally better is the Manchester one.

[OrangeLily]

It's small and bijou like the rest of Edinburgh!!

[DTisMYdoctor]

I live in Edinburgh and love the Christmas market and all the other stuff going on in Princes St Gardens, but I'm not convinced it's worth a day trip from London on your own. If you do decide to go, it's worth going during the week if you can - it's very busy at the weekend.

[dementedma]

I go most years but to be honest its not great. Last few years i have felt it wasn't worth it really. If you are in Edinburgh anyway then its fine, but not really worth making a special trip for to be honest.

[unfitmummy]

The best christmas market I've been to is bath - you could just get the train from London for the day. Although Edinburgh is beautiful and the christmas market, although small, does have German christmas decorations and mulled wine - and the ice skating in the gardens is a lovely bonus.

[indyandlara]

Come to Edinburgh for Xmas shopping but not the markets particularly. Personally I think the trip is worth it for a drink at The Dome in December. There's nowhere prettier!